Thursday, January 28, 2016

Delta Air Lines, McDonnell Douglas MD-88, N908DE: Accident occurred January 24, 2016 at at Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR), Essex County, New Jersey

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N908DE 

Location: Newark, NJ
Accident Number: DCA16CA070
Date & Time: 01/24/2016, 1722 EST
Registration: N908DE
Aircraft: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS CORPORATION MD 88
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Ground collision
Injuries: 153 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 121: Air Carrier - Scheduled

Analysis 


On January 24, 2016 at 19:22 eastern standard time, Delta Air Lines flight 1409, a McDonnell Douglas MD-88, N908DE, was struck by a Boeing 767, N178DZ, that was under tow by a Delta Airlines ground crew in the vicinity of gate 42 at Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark, New Jersey (EWR). There were no injuries to the 153 passengers and crew members onboard the MD-88 or to the one person aboard the B767 nor to the four ground crew personnel. There was substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the MD-88.

According to the operator, after landing the MD-88 crew taxied into the alley in the vicinity of gate 36, awaiting gate 41B to clear, and set the parking brake.

Airport Customer Service (ACS) representatives were towing the B767 to gate 42 (the ACS personnel were not aboard with the intent for flight), and following a Port Authority vehicle to gate 42. The ACS agents and the MD-88 flight crew reported that the ramp conditions were very slushy and limited space was available. The ACS representative aboard the B767 requested that the MD-88 pull forward, to allow clearance between the two aircraft, and the flight crew complied with the request. The captain stated that he could only move about 15 to 20 feet due to the ramp conditions.

Shortly afterward, the flight crew felt the impact and noted that the two aircraft had made contact. The tug driver was not aware of the impact until after arrival at gate 42. The MD-88 was towed to the gate and passengers deplaned via the jetway. The MD-88 received substantial damage to the left elevator, elevator tab, and horizontal stabilizer tip. The left winglet of the B767 received minor damage.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

the ground crew's misjudgment of the distance between the B767 wingtip and the MD-88 tail. Contributing to the accident was the slushy condition of the ramp which limited the maneuvering space available.

Findings

Personnel issues

Incorrect action performance - Ground crew (Cause)

Environmental issues
Snow/slush/ice covered surface - Effect on operation (Factor)

Factual Information

History of Flight


Standing-engine(s) operating

Ground collision (Defining event) 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Commercial; Private
Age: 53
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/21/2015
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/30/2015
Flight Time:   15808 hours (Total, all aircraft), 12182 hours (Total, this make and model), 5504 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 148 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Co-Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Commercial; Private
Age: 32
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s):
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/16/2015
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/24/2015
Flight Time:   143 hours (Total, all aircraft), 143 hours (Total, this make and model), 143 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS CORPORATION
Registration: N908DE
Model/Series: MD 88 88
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1992
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Transport
Serial Number: 53417
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 157
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/21/2016,
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 149500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Turbo Fan
Airframe Total Time: 58173 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: JT8D-219
Registered Owner:  Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Rated Power: lbs
Operator: Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Flag carrier (121)
Operator Does Business As:
Operator Designator Code: DALA 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KEWR
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1651 EST
Direction from Accident Site: 0°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 11000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 14000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 300°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 2°C / -9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Detroit, MI (DTW)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Newark, NJ (EWR)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1605 EST
Type of Airspace: Class B

Airport Information

Airport: Newark Liberty International A (EWR)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 17 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Unknown
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 5 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 148 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 153 None
Latitude, Longitude:  40.687222, -74.177500 (est)

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